Broad Based Extension System ( BBE )
(Introduced under Tamil Nadu Agricultural Development Project – TNADP)This system has been introduced in Tamil Nadu State from 1.4.1991. Government of
Tamil Nadu has entered into an agreement with World Bank through Government of India for
implementing the project for seven years from 1991.
Need for Broad Based System
The Training and Visit system recognised the farm family approach rather than ‘crop
approach’ and ‘area approach’. In irrigated areas the village extension workers have full time
job because the agricultural crops occupy 9-10 months in a year. In dryland the village extension
workers do not have full time opportunities since the crops occupy 4-6 months. The messages
delivered to the farmers were crop oriented and less importance was given to allied activities.
How broad based extension is an important over T & V System?
This system aims at rectifying the defects. Role of subject matter specialist is amplified
and they are invited to formulate messages suitable to their land based activities. The village
extension workers will have full time job by offering messages during lean season. The concept
of broad based education lies in formulating and delivering composite messages to the farmers to
meet the needs of their full agricultural environment.
Principles of broad based extension
1. Adoption of an integrated farming systems approach for the generation of relevant composite
messages.
2. Broadening the range of subjects from agricultural crops to all allied subjects.
3. Improvement of the effective communication of the farming community.
4. Introduction of resource based planning down to sub-division level.
5. Encourages participation of non-governmental organisation in all agricultural extension
activities.
Objectives of the broad-based extension
1. To increase the farm income.
2. To solve problems of the farming community.
3. To make extension system more cost effective.
4. To upgrade the quality of the extension workers.
5. To popularise integrated farming system approach.
Scope of the broad based extension system
The activities of all land based departments will be unified in the long run. Duplication
of efforts and unhealthy competitions will be avoided. Agricultural department offers full
support to the activities of all the line departments.
Methodology: Broad based extension system help the farmers in getting multiple message
needed to improve their overall economy besides helping to grow agricultural crops. Thus, the
farmers are encouraged in sericultural activities, growing good fodders, animal husbandry
activities and growing fish in the farm ponds etc. These activities enable the farm community to
get extra income.
Need for the broad-based extension: This system was formed to encourage the activities of the
farmers. Different departments compete with one another and they have proposed to increase the
staff component to contact as many farmers as possible. World Bank and Government of India
thought to utilise the well established extension agency and bringing all extension and land based
activities together.
